Crash victims remembered

Injury lawyer Paul Hergott spoke to a crowd of people outside of Orchard Park Mall Wednesday night. People were there for the National Day of Remembrance.

Tragically, in the last five years, 1,783 people have been killed in car crashes on BC roads with an average of 357 people killed every year.

Today is the National Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims. This week, in support of the families who have lost their loved ones on our roads, ICBC, road safety partners and volunteers across the province are honouring victims and encouraging drivers to reflect on how their own driving behaviours can help keep themselves and everyone on our roads safe.

As weather conditions deteriorate across the province, ICBC is urging drivers to slow down and adjust their driving to the conditions they encounter. The number of crashes caused by people driving too fast for the road conditions nearly doubles between October and December as the weather worsens.

“This day of remembrance is a time to reflect on the hundreds of lives that are lost and thousands who are injured in crashes throughout our province every year,” said Mary Polak, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Many of these crashes, and the devastating impact they have on families, are completely preventable so please slow down and drive carefully.”

“In honour of those who have lost their lives on our roads, and their loved ones, we’re urging drivers to slow down and give themselves extra time so they get home to their families safely,” said John Dickinson, ICBC director of road safety. “Speeding is the leading cause of car crash fatalities in BC and when combined with poor weather conditions, it dramatically increases your risk of crashing.”

Deadly stats:

In the last five years, 578 people have been killed in car crashes in the Southern Interior, with an average of 116 people killed every year.

Speeding is the leading cause of car crash fatalities in BC

On average, 47 people are killed each year in the Southern Interior in speed-related crashes.

Each October there is an average of 33 crashes resulting in injuries or death in the Southern Interior region due to people driving too fast for the conditions. That number more than triples in December to 109 as the driving conditions worsen.